Every school day, cafeterias generate mountains of disposable trays, cups, and utensils that serve a useful life of just minutes. StopWaste helps Alameda County schools replace single-use foodware with durable, washable alternatives — reducing waste, cutting costs, and creating healthier dining environments for students.

School Reusables on the Rise!

Kudos to dozens of schools in Alameda County that have switched from disposable to reusable foodware to date!

38 Schools

Across 8 districts have made the switch to reusable foodware.

3.8 Million

Single-use foodware items avoided every year across participating schools.

$170,000

In annual savings from reduced purchasing and lower garbage bills.

Cafeteria Grants: Up to $50,000

reusables

StopWaste's Reusable Foodware Cafeteria Grants help K-12 schools cover the upfront costs of transitioning. Grants fund:

  • Reusable foodware — trays, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils
  • Dishwashing equipment — commercial dishwashers, drying racks, and installation
  • Dispensing systems — milk dispensers and condiment stations to replace single-serve packets
  • Off-site dishwashing services — for schools without space for on-site equipment

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Schools serving 150 or more meals daily in a closed dining environment are eligible. A letter of support from district administration is required. K-12 schools with high free and reduced-price lunch enrollment receive priority.

Full Grant Details and How to Apply

Guides and Templates

Reusable Foodware in Schools: A Quick Start Guide for Nutrition Directors

This guide gives a high-level overview of the steps and decisions needed to transition to reusable foodware, with an emphasis on the financial considerations.

K-12 Reusable Foodware Procurement Guide

This guide gives K–12 schools a practical overview of commercially available reusable foodware options and dishwashing equipment, including current pricing. The Products List catalog common products and provide key purchasing considerations. The Sample Purchasing List offers a sample budgeting scenario with typical items and average costs for a school serving roughly 300 lunches per day and transitioning from disposable to reusable foodware. Prices listed are based on 2025 vendor information. DISCLAIMER: This document was prepared by the Center for Environmental Health and StopWaste. The information is provided without warranty and may not always be accurate. Not all brands and products are represented, and their inclusion does not imply endorsement.

The Center for Environmental Health also has a comprehensive toolkit aimed at helping your school or school district make the transition from single-use food service ware containing harmful chemicals towards healthier and more sustainable options. Visit the Ditching Disposables Toolkit.

Case Studies

Berkeley Unified School District Reusable Foodware

Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) is working to transition the entire district to reusable foodware. This case study highlights Phase 1 of their initiative, focusing on the successful transition of three schools to reusables.

Fremont Unified School District: Reusable Foodware Case Study

Fremont Unified is one of the largest school districts in Alameda County, serving roughly 10,000 lunches a day. Like many districts, FUSD had been using disposable trays and cutlery for years — generating enormous amounts of waste and exposing students to materials of concern. The district's fiber-based trays and plates tested high for fluorine, an indicator of PFAS chemicals commonly found in disposable food service ware. With no on-site dishwashing equipment at most schools, a district this size faced real logistical hurdles: 29 elementary campuses spread across a large geographic area, no

Back to Reusables: Helping School Districts Transition to Reusable Foodware

"Back to Reusables" is a project to give schools the tools, information, and assistance they need to transition from a disposable foodware system to a reusable foodware system that fits their budget and context.